The Darkness Within (Shadows And Strings #1) Read Online KB Winters

Categories Genre: Alpha Male, Billionaire, Dark, Suspense Tags Authors: Series: Shadows And Strings Series by KB Winters
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Total pages in book: 50
Estimated words: 47187 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 236(@200wpm)___ 189(@250wpm)___ 157(@300wpm)
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Jay pushes away from the desk and stands up, shaking his head while sending me a half-hearted glare. A surge of concern rises in me when I see the haggard look in his eye and the dark pools of fatigue circling his cheekbones. I’m sure my face mirrors his fatigue. “That’s enough for tonight,” he says with a yawn and adds, “We’re not doing anyone any favors working ourselves to the bone. Let’s get out of here and get some sleep.”

“Maybe you’re right,” I agree. “I need to get out of here and get some sleep, or else I’m going to go crazier than I already am.”

He lets out a short laugh. “Have you been staying because of me? You know you don’t have to keep my hours, Frankie.”

“We’re partners,” I grunt, as if that’s the only response needed.

“I know, but you have some autonomy, you know. If you need to knock off early, do that. I see your dedication to the job.”

His words mean the world to me. Especially after what happened to my dad. Yeah, I want to nail the fucker terrorizing these men, but I also want to end my career with a rep like Jay’s as one of the best ever to wear the badge.

And if my dad is looking down, I want him to swell with pride that his little girl is following in his footsteps. That and only that would make all this hard work worthwhile.

Jay grabs his jacket from the back of his chair. “’Night, Frankie.”

I turn out the lamp on my desk. “Night. Plans tonight?”

He glances down at his watch. “Fingers crossed. Maybe I can convince Cassandra to have dinner with me if it’s not too late.” His eyebrows dance with excitement, and I smile.

Jay’s getting more action than me. Hell, he’s getting all the action while I’ve just been ghosted by a man who gave me the best sex of my life. “Have some fun for me too, would ya?”

“I’ll see what I can do,” he says, giving me a two-fingered salute.

Jay and I leave the precinct together, parting when I head for my car. I check the back seat and my surroundings before slipping inside, then let out a deep breath and head home. My thoughts wander back to Damien, which pisses me off.

“Fuck him,” I say out loud just to drive the point home to myself. He’s not worth thinking about because, clearly, he’s not thinking about me, which is fine.

He never made me any promises except for a good time.

And I did have a good time. A really good time.

It stings, that’s all. I don’t need Damien Wolfe or any other man for that matter. They are a luxury, not a necessity.

I arrive at my house and frown at an unfamiliar silver Audi parked in my driveway. The neighbors would ask before committing such an offense, and I brace myself for whoever the hell it is as I step out of my sedan and flip the snap on my holster—just in case.

The Audi door opens, and a tall figure steps out. Even though darkness conceals his identity, I know those broad shoulders and long legs. Even so, I aim my gun at the person. “Stop right there and identify yourself.”

The man is unflappable, that’s for sure. He doesn’t freeze or gasp or show any other signs of shock. He stays relaxed as he turns to face me. “It’s me, Francesca. Damien.”

As if I don’t know. “What are you doing here?” My voice comes out softer than I intended, betraying my mixed emotions.

His shoulders fall. “I had to rush off for a few days, Francesca, but I’m back now.”

“Without a word?” I arch an eyebrow, trying to keep my demeanor cool even as my heart skips a beat.

He nods. “It was sudden. I didn’t have time to explain. I’m sorry.”

“I left you a message. Did you get it?”

He says, “I did. And that’s why I’m here.”

“Oh, so you think you can ignore me for days and then just show up like it’s nothing?” Shit. Now I sound like a psycho.

He gives me that killer smile and shoves his hands in his pockets. “You got it, Frankie.”

His easy agreement throws me off. I expected him to put up more resistance, but he just smiles like he’s amused, making it hard to stay mad.

“Don’t charm your way out of this, Damien. You disappeared, and now you’re here. Why?”

“To see you.” He takes a few steps forward, his eyes searching mine. “And to make it up to you. I’m here to cook dinner and spend some time together.”

A flutter of excitement stirs inside me despite my best efforts to stay guarded. “Dinner? You better hope you’re as good in the kitchen as you think you are.”

He turns his back to me, popping the trunk of his car.


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